Rockwall City Council unanimously approves zoning amendments, abandons two rights-of-way and confirms mayor appointment

Rockwall City Council on Feb. 3, 2025, unanimously approved amendments to two planned development (PD) districts on the consent agenda, adopted two ordinances to abandon unimproved public rights-of-way after public hearings, and confirmed Mayor Joe Marvin to a city commission seat with a term expiring in August 2026.

City staff told the council the PD amendments were included on the consent agenda and were approved without discussion. The first amendment updates PD 50 (ordinance language in the packet) to add a roughly 0.2010-acre parcel and to allow a house of worship land use by special use permit on a 21.266-acre tract; the second amends PD 75 to allow construction of a single-family home on a 0.1650-acre parcel identified as Lot 910-A-0 in Rockwall Lake Estates No. 2. Both ordinances include a penalty clause setting a fine not to exceed $2,000 per offense and standard severability language. The ordinances were approved as part of the consent agenda; the motion to approve the consent agenda was made by Council member Moore and seconded by Council member Mueller.

The council held two public hearings and voted to abandon unimproved rights-of-way in two separate locations after staff presentations. Planning and development staff explained the Hale Drive abandonment (case 2025-001) involved an excess right-of-way dedicated with the Meadows subdivision in 1986 that now dead-ends and no longer provides access to adjacent property. Staff said the Rockwall Housing Development Corporation submitted a letter of intent dated July 19, 2024, agreeing to accept the property; a subdivision plat prepared by Deano and Perkins would combine the right-of-way into an existing greenbelt lot and create a new Lot 12. Staff noted the plat may not be filed until the ordinance's second reading and that a quitclaim deed would be prepared as a condition of approval. Council member Joroff moved approval of 2025-001; Council member Campbell seconded. The ordinance was adopted and the motion passed unanimously.

The second abandonment (case 2025-002) covers unimproved right-of-way between Clark Street and Wade Drive adjacent to four properties; staff said letters of intent to accept the abandoned portions were received from all four adjacent owners and that a subdivision plat prepared by Tignall and Perkins would allocate portions to each property. Planning and Zoning reviewed the plat on Jan. 28 and recommended approval 4–0, with Commissioners Hastings, Conway and Thompson absent. Council member Joroff moved approval of 2025-002; Council member Campbell seconded. The ordinance was adopted and the motion passed unanimously.

Earlier in the meeting, after an executive-session recess, council members nominated and confirmed Mayor Joe Marvin to a commission position with a term expiring in August 2026; the motion passed unanimously. The transcript does not specify which council member moved the nomination; a second by Council member Thomas is recorded in the meeting notes and the council voted to confirm.

Staff cited the Texas Transportation Code and the Texas Local Government Code as the legal bases authorizing the council to abandon public rights-of-way by ordinance following a public hearing. For the two abandonments staff said they prepared draft subdivision plats and quitclaim deeds; staff said the plats cannot be filed until the second reading of the ordinances and that deeds would be filed with the county once the plat is recorded.

Votes at a glance - Appointment: Mayor Joe Marvin confirmed to a city commission seat (term expires August 2026). Motion/second: mover not specified; second recorded as Council member Thomas. Outcome: approved (unanimous). Note: transcript does not list individual roll-call votes. - Consent agenda (includes two PD amendments): Motion to approve consent agenda by Council member Moore; second by Council member Mueller. Outcome: approved (unanimous). Ordinance details: PD 50 amendment to add ~0.2010 acre and permit house of worship by SUP on a 21.266-acre tract; PD 75 amendment to allow single-family construction on a 0.1650-acre parcel (Lot 910-A-0). Penalty clause: fine not to exceed $2,000 per offense. - Public hearing/case 2025-001 (Hale Drive): Motion to approve by Council member Joroff; second by Council member Campbell. Outcome: approved (unanimous). Conditions: subdivision plat prepared by Deano and Perkins; plat cannot be filed until ordinance second reading; staff to prepare quitclaim deed. - Public hearing/case 2025-002 (Clark/Wade): Motion to approve by Council member Joroff; second by Council member Campbell. Outcome: approved (unanimous). Conditions: subdivision plat prepared by Tignall and Perkins; quitclaim deeds to be executed and recorded with the plat.

Context and next steps City staff said abandoning unused or unimproved right-of-way can simplify maintenance responsibilities and allow adjacent property owners or the Rockwall Housing Development Corporation to incorporate the land into adjacent lots, which staff said can increase taxable value. Planning staff noted the Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed both plats on Jan. 28 and recommended approval. The council directed staff to proceed with the required second readings, filings and deed instruments; staff indicated the county filing/recording would follow after ordinance adoption and plat acceptance.